Cops had to use other evidence when DNA matched all three crooks (Image: central)

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Identical triplets have been jailed for plotting to supply an "extremely dangerous criminal" with an Uzi submachine gun and a loaded pistol.

DNA found on the handgun was linked to Reiss, Ralston and Ricky Gabriel but it was impossible for baffled police to prove which brother it belonged to.

Detectives carried out an extensive probe to find out which triplet was involved in handling the firearms — but mobile phone and surveillance evidence revealed all three were in on it.

The 28-year-olds, from Edmonton in north London, were found guilty of conspiracy to possess firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life in July after a trial.

Ricky and Ralston, who are both semi-professional footballers, were each jailed for 14 years at Blackfriars Crown Court on Friday.

Reiss, who also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life after he was caught with a handgun on July 26 last year, and two counts of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply, was jailed for a total of 18 years.

“It is not capable of any lawful use. It has the capability to cause maximum indiscriminate harm.

"The pistol was loaded. They were both ready for immediate use.

"The weapons were not used, but the reason for that was because the police managed to stop the onward transfer."

The firearms were meant for Aron Thomas, 32, who was caught with another loaded revolver and ammunition when he was held on April 26 2017.

The guns were going to be supplied to dangerous Aron Thomas (Image: central news)

At the time, he was on licence, having been released from an 11-year prison sentence for opening fire at random towards a crowded street near Wood Green Tube station in 2010.

An innocent passer-by was hit in the leg when Thomas, a rapper who performed under the name Vipex, let off eight shots with a 9mm handgun.

Thomas, from Holloway, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 14 years last year after he was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life over the guns found on April 10 and 27 2017.

Ahmed, from Archway, north London, was jailed for 16 years for one count of conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life in relation to the first incident, while middleman Elyace Hamchaoui, 23, from Arnos Grove, north London, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for the same charge.

Joshua Miller, 27, of no fixed address, was jailed for 17 years for conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life in relation to the second incident.